Alworth Fund Adds Sara Niemi to Board
The Alworth Memorial Fund named Sara Niemi to its Board of Directors while its scholarship application opened with a $28,000 award.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Scholarships
The Alworth Memorial Fund added Sara Niemi, who has more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, to its Board of Directors. The Alworth Scholarship application also opened, with an award amount of $28,000, up from $24,000.
Why it matters
The scholarship gives high school seniors in northeastern Minnesota financial support for study in math, science, engineering, or medicine-related fields. The Fund has granted scholarships since 1949 and has awarded more than $60 million in total.
The Alworth Scholarship award is $28,000, up from $24,000 previously. The application deadline is January 15, 2027, and the Fund has awarded more than $60 million in scholarships since 1949.
The players
Sara Niemi
Niemi has more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience and currently serves on the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Member Board of Directors, having previously worked at Duluth Bethel, PAVSA, and the United Way.
Alworth Memorial Fund
The Alworth Memorial Fund has granted scholarships since 1949 and has awarded more than $60 million to students in northeastern Minnesota.
The details
Students who graduate from a high school or approved home school curriculum in a 10-county region of northeastern Minnesota may apply. Scholarships support students with high scholastic records and financial need who are going into math, science, engineering, or medicine-related fields.
Timeline
1949: The Alworth Memorial Fund began granting scholarships.
November 4, 2026: Sara Niemi joined the board and the scholarship application opened.
January 15, 2027: Scholarship application deadline.
Contextual Field
Niemi's appointment brings experience from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, a statewide association of nonprofit organizations, into the Alworth Fund's governance. Her background at Duluth Bethel, PAVSA, and the United Way connects the board to established northeastern Minnesota social service organizations.
High school seniors in the 10-county region of northeastern Minnesota who plan to study math, science, engineering, or medicine-related fields can apply now. Students should check eligibility requirements before the January 15, 2027 deadline.
The takeaway
High school seniors planning to study math, science, engineering, or medicine should confirm their eligibility and prepare materials before the January 15, 2027 deadline. Early preparation gives applicants time to meet all requirements.
What happens next
The scholarship application deadline is January 15, 2027.
Further reading
For more options, explore Scholarships in Minnesota.
More information
Review Alworth Scholarship information and eligibility requirements before applying.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BusinessNorth.
